Uniflow-engine system



E. W. SWARTWGUT.

UNIFLOW ENGINE SYSTEM. APPucATloN FILED, lumi 22. 191s.

Patented Mar. 9, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I E. W. SWARTWOUT.

UNIFLOW ENGINE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JuNEzz. |916.`

PatentedMar. 9, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' 'Y l fr@ %4fa/lg m -z i 1.42 oA i Patented Mar. 9,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- E. W. SWARTWOUT.

U NIFLOW ENGINE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION H LED 1uNE22. 1916.

E. w. swARTwouT. UNIFLOW ENGINE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 22. 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Patented Mar, 9, 1920.

Evnnnrr w. swnn'rwour, or WHITE PLAINsNnW YORK.

j UrNI/rLowgnNGrNn SYSTEM.

specificati@ of Lettersratent. APatented Mar. 9, lggt).

Application-tiled June 22, 1916. SerialNo. 105,114.

- To all whom t may concern.'

Beit known that I, Evnun'rr WV. Swnnfr? woor, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at White Plains, iWest-` chester county, State Vof New York, have Vinvented certain newand useful Improvements in Unilow-Engine Systems, of which the following is a. specification.

This invention relates to uniflow engine systems.

More particularly, my invention relates to a motive power system comprising high and low pressure units, one or both of said vunits comprising auniflow engine. In cer` tain preferred forms; `of my invention, a superheater is employed, the same being dis-L posed posterior of a high pressure unit and anterior of a low pressure unit. I have discovered that a power plant sys.- tem comprising one or more unilow engines arranged as a'high pressure or a low pressure unit, or both, operatesto essentially-increase the eiliciency and total power output of the system, to materially decrease the consumption of steam per unit horse power developed perhour andffurther to enlarge n the nexibility of ope-ration ofthe system by increasing the range of speeds as well as the total power outputs of the several lunits when driving independent shafts land by equalizing the thrust of thepistons. ofthe several unit-s., By virtue ofthe uni'llow engine arranged in `my system as herein described, means are -provided for superheating the whole or a part at will'of the'exhaust steam of the high pressureunityprior to entry into the intake of the low pressure unilow engine unit, whereby condensation of steam or other similar' medium is obviated and moisture withinthe exhausted medium is ,precluded. Invsuch formsfof myinvention in which the superheater is employed, such superheater is preferably heatedibv. the hot flue gases of the boiler supplying the steam tothe high pressure unit,V whereby the energy made available through the superheated and saturated steam to therlo'w pressure unit is in a most advantageous form.

The most preferred form nof `my present invention )comprises a uniflow engine Ahaving the V'construction described 'and claimed in .my pending appli cation Serial No. "101.5151, in accordance with which eachhe'ad of .the

uniflow cylinder is providedwithmeanslfor automatically regulating the clearance of the cylinder; Y Further features and objects of my 1nvention will be more fully understood from the following' description and the accompanying drawings, in whichn v FigureV 1v diagrammatically shows one form ofmy invention; and

Figs. 2, 3, and 4V show ldiagrammatically `other forms of my invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, the 'boiler 1 fis lconnected by the piping 2 with the inlets of the uniflow engine 4. The unilow` engine 4 may be of any type. The exhaust `5 .of engine 4 is connected by the piping ,6 to the receiver 7 and thence connected bythe' piping` 8 with the inlets 9 of the -uniflow engine 10. 'The exhaust 11 of engine 10 is connectedthrough 12 with `the condenser 13. V connectionA of the piping for heating purposes or other desired supplementary uses is indicated at 14, and is preferably con# nected with the exhaust 11 of the unililow engine 10 as byconnecting said-piping 14 with the exhaust piping 12.

In the aforesaid construction, the first unit comprising one or more uniflow engines operates on the high pressure steam supplied by the boiler and the second unit comprising one or -Inore uniflow engines 'is driven by the lower pressure steam furnished from the exhaust of the first unit. Such arrangement is rendered highly etlicient bv the employment of the receiver 7 into which the exhaust ofthe first-unit 'is discharged. The 'capacity of the receiver 7 will be determined'b57 the capacities of the first unit and the secondunit and to provide for theproper accumulation of the steam exhausted from the first unit to effect the desired efficiency of operation ofthe second unit.

Referring to Fig. f 2. the boiler 20 is connected through the piping 21 with the high pressure unit shown as a uniflow engine 22'. The exhaust of said engine 22 is connected bv the piping 28 with the receiver 24 of the character setv forth above.v The receiver'24 is; connected bv the piping 25 with` the superfi heater 26 shown as fired iointlv`withfthe Vboiler 20. After superhea'tingH the steam is the pipe 30 into' the condenser :31.

haust steam of the high pressure unit isl superheated and admiXed in desired proportion withsteam supplied directly from the steam supply.`

The piping for heatingor other purposes may also be connected to the reservoir 24 as indicatedby thepiping 35.

Similarly, as shown in Fig. 3, of my invention, the high pressure line 40, supplied by boiler 41, is connected to the inlet ports 42l of the unilow engine 43 and the exhaust steam therefrom conducted to the receiver 44, thence to the low pressure unit, shown asthe turbine 45, to the exhaust of which is connected the piping 46 of the heating system or other auxiliary piping. The eX- haust of the low pressure unit 45 may be connected with the condenser 47, if desired.

In the arrangements shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the steam heating system may be connectedwith the receiver byV piping 70, suoli heatingsystem being independent of or in conjunction with the heating system supplied otherwise in the aforesaid arrangements. Also in said arrangements, the piping 69 may be connected to the high pressure line and provided with the pressure reducing valve 7l and stop valveiw 2 to con-` trol the pressure and flow to the low pressure uni In Fig; 4 I have indicated the superheater 50 supplemented with live steam by 'means of cross-piping 5l comi'nunicating with the high pressure line 40, thence' leading from the superheater 50 to, the low pressure unit,

shown as the turbine 45, and the heating system 46 connected with the exhaust of the turbine 45 similar to the arrangement shown in Fig. 2. Also, similar to Fig.k 2, the heating system 52 may be connected with the receiver 53, either separate Afrom or in conjunction with the heating system 46 connecti ed with the exhaust of the low pressure unit 45. The cross piping 51, in Fig. 4, is simi; larly arranged as in Fig. 2, and comprises the provision of the valve 55 to control the amount of live steam transmitted from the high pressure line 45 to the intake piping 56 oi the superheater 50. The outflow piping 57 of the superheater 50 is connected to the y low pressure unit shown as the turbine 45.

The advantages ofthe superheater interposed between the primary and secondary entro v (liao-rains corres )ondino' to the re-v spective several forms of my invention. Such favorable results are particularly attained when the means ior supplying steam from Vthe system for vheating vor supplementary or other purposes is connected to the system in the manner indicated herein. Y

`In Figs. 2 and 4 the valves 34 and 55 may be valves of the pressure reducing type, in which casethe stop-valves 60 are also employed.

The valves 6l in the several `forms of my linvention are throttle valves in the piping leadingvto the high pressure unit and valves `6G are stop valves in the exhaust thereof.

As indicated in Figs. 2 and 4, the superheater may be cut oil' by closing the stop valves 62 in the intake piping 01": the superheater, in which case the low pressure unit will be operated by utilizing the saturated steam through piping 63 from the exhaust oi the high pressure unit, similar to Figs. 1 and 3, supplemented if desired with live steam from 'the high pressure piping as controlled in pressure and quantity by the respective valves 55, 60. The piping 63' is provided with `the stop valve 64 at the indicated location. y y

The outflow piping of the superheater in Figs. 2 and 4, is provided with the stop valves G5 located between the superheater and the T connection with the piping 63.

Also, in the arrangement of Fig. 2, the low pressure unit 2 9 may be a four valve Steam engine, while the high pressure unit is of the unilow-type.

In each of the aforesaid arrangements, where a plurality of high pressure units is employed, the same may be connected in parallel to each other with the high pressure line and exhaustingto a common receiver, or the same may be connected in series, i. e., multiple expansion relation. Thus, generally, if more than one unit is employed to replace thehigh pressureunit, any one may vary in capacity from any other or all and these units may be connected in parallel or in series, or both, as determined by the results desired to be attained.

Similarly, with respect to the low pressure unit, when employing a plurality of devices the same may be connected in sel ries or in parallel, 0r both, and Vmay be va ried in capacity vas desired. Y ,f

In the several forms of my invention as herein described, the respective high pressure and low pressure Vunits constitute prime mover units to actuate one-or more driven shafts, -to which the. said units are connected, either directly or indirectly as will be understood by the art.

y In theel-rangements shown in Figs. land 3, the steam heating rsystem may be connected with the-,receiver,byypiping l70,.such

heating systembeing .independentI of `or in conjunction withtheheating system. Also,

in said arrangements, the piping69fmaybe connected tofthei'high `pressure line, and provided Awith the pressure reducing valve 7l Aand stop valve 7 2v to control 'the-,pressure and flow to the low pressure unit.

I have. also showntheaforesaid system y.advantageously adaptedv forsu-pplying steam for manufacturing purposes. rF or such .pur-

poses, the steaml is usually required at a predetermined range of temperature,.condition of .saturation and ofttimes at a predetermined range ofpressure. A highly practicalform of such embodiment of my invention is shown in Figs. 2.and4, in'whichthe steam piping for manufacturing purposes is connected `at 75, and the pressure 4controlled bythe pressure valve 476. The` valve l77 is a stop valve. `In such form, the steam utilized is the saturated Asteam discharged through the exhaust ofthe high pressure .or

first unit and preferably subsequently super heatedto AtheV desired temperature .by the superheater 26, of Fig. v2, 'or'superheater'O,

ofFig. 4. The pressure of the steam in the outflow pipi-ng 27 (see Fig. 2) vor piping 57 (Fig. .4), conditioned `on theiinitia'hpressure `of. the high pressure piping of the boiler, kthe drop in Apressureatthe exhaust Vof the highy pressure unitythe pressure fao tors ofthe receiver,'superheater andthe auX- `iliary pressure valves .55, 4together withthe dropsinpressure intheseveral pipings, etc. fasunderstoodby thev art', is eventually deter,- `mined bythe pressure valve76, in accordance Vwith the particular conditions of the manufacturing desiredtozbe effected.

. `In-the above)arrangements, `the initial supply of steam andintermediate stage,

' preferably supplemented :by Vsupei'heatin-g, :are arranged relative @to Vthe heating, or

manufacturing or other auxiliary; piping to v secure the maximumv efficiency ofthehigh .and lower pressure units. Also, imy .invention affords a'balancing eectbetween 'the high Vpressure unit, k:onwthe one hand, and the `low 'pressure unit, Y on thezother hand, Vrelative to withdrawal 'of steamV through the heating or manufactory portion vofFthe'ysysn The temperatures ofthe high :pressure portions -may :be vraised -to relatively high pressures, as for example sayi5700. F. Vand the saturated or exhaust steam in such case may be superheated, sayvto from 550 2F. to'. 6009 F. The operation of my` inventionwill 'be understood largely V-from-fthel `foregoing,

together with theyfollowing.

Referring to Figs. l :and f3, 'the-initial.

steam 'supplv is 'furnished `vto the lhigh pres :es sre-unit or, nite-whisk.exhalistdntotheere- Vpressure uniti or units.

ldirectly from the initial steam. line-2V tothe ing 69.

through either or anyor all of the withf drawn means indicated at V32, 35, 75. Simisupplied; at the desired temperature and -ceiver, `,and ,conveyed thence :toLthe low` employmentfof-:the cross-piping 69, Fig. '1, the desired amount v.and pressure .controlled respectively by the valves 72, 7l,v issupplied receiver 7. Or, as in Fig. .3, thelive steam is directediby vthe cross-piping'69 `from the initial pressure line 40 conjointly with the steam flowingfrom the receiver 44 into the lowpressure unit-45. In `said Figs. 1 and With the conjoint 3, vupon withdrawing steam through withi drawing means 70 for heating,'or. nianufac- -turing'or other` purposes, the system will be balanced` vby the steam of proper pressure and quantity fiowing through saidycross pip- Y Such balancing effect results in maintaining substantially uniform pressure of the steam ofthe intakes of the high andV l low `pressure units and as uniform condition .ofthe steam at theV respective inletsras practicable but .whatever variation does take place, is .distributed substantially uniformly. Similarly, upon withdrawing steam through the `withdrawing` means 14l of Fig. jl, or withdrawing means 4G of Fig.. 3, the balance vof the receiver systems will be maintained.

Again, inthe arrangement of Fig. 2,..the

steam under desired pressure and of de sired quantity transmitted through the crossipiping '33 and through the superheater 26 maintains the balance of the steam irrespective ofthe amount of steam Withdrawn pressure to the respective high pressure and low pressure umts while atkthe Sametime y the medium yis withdrawn-for industrial and other auxiliary purposesat the said one or morepoints at the desired pressure and tempera-ture, or at thedesn-'ed condition of steam.V

j In the arrangements of Figs. l and 3,

upon cutting vout the high pressure' unit by shutting off the respective valve G1, the low yspective figures, will be operated by -the use of the cross piping k69, controlled in pres- Vsure bythe valve 7l and in' quantity bythe 4stop valve 7 2. In the l,arrangements offFigs. 2 and 4, ythe high pressure unit may be cut out by shutting off the stop valvey 6 1. and valves 66, also-if desired, and Vtransmitting the-steam to the low' pressurel unit, indicated if-20 4`pressure unit `'indicated as 10, `45, in tliereiso Y low pressure unit.

, piping G3 grunder such conditions, theV superheater 26 may also be employed Vin conjunction therewith through they piping 25` and the low pressure, superheated line-E27.

provided a 'substantially universally flexible system comprising the high pressure and 'low pressure units operated as set forth i of load, material decrease in fuel consumption per output of driving energy and an unusual extent of fiexibility in increased driving speed combined with increased torque without causing abnormal strains on any part ofthe system. Y

The invention is particularly adapted for use on self-propelled vehicles, motor boats and motor ships in that the aforesaid advantages ofthe system may be more ei'ectu ally utilized in such uses; although, it will be understood that the invention may be advantageously embodied in stationary systems.

By the expression balancing as employed herein, I include the result attained by my invention of eilecting likeY proportional increase in the pressure of the steam transmitted to the respective high ,pressure and low pressure units under the condition of decrease of the volume or pressure, or both, of the steam led from the system tor heating or other general useyand, also, vice versa, like proportional decrease in the pressure of the steam transmitted to the high pressure and low pressure units respectively uponincrease in volume orv pressure, or

both, ot the steam employed for heating or other` industrial purposes.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to spccific'forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modiiicationsmay be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.v

I claim. Y

1. A 'system comprising in combination with a supply of steam. a high pressure unit, a low pressure uniiiow engine unit, a superheater connected to the exhaust of said high pressure unit. passage means connecting said supply directly ywith said superheater, means for withdrawing; steam for auxiliary purposes, disposed anterior of said 2. A system comprising in combination with a supply of steam, a high pressure unit. a low pressure unit, a'superheater connected It will accordingly be-seen that I havevk ofsai'dsuDerheater. Y y Y 9. A ksystem lcomprlsmg in combination to ithe exhaust of said high 'pressure unit, passage means connecting said supply directlyfwith said superheater, and means for withdrawing steam for'auxiliary purposes,

superheater. Y

3. A system comprising incombination with a supplyof steam,` a high -pressure unit supplied directly by said steam supply, a superheater connected posterior of the lexhausty of said high pressure unit,V 'passage means connecting'said supply directly with said superheater and a low pressure unit connected posterior ofthe outlet of said superheater. l

4. A system comprising in combination with a supply of steam,l a high pressure unit supplied directly by said steam supply,a superheater disposed posterior of said high pressure unit, a low pressurefunit, passage means connecting said supply directly with said superheater, disposed posterior of the outlet of said superheater and means for said means being'connected posteriorofsaid supplying steam'directlyA from said steam Vsupplying` steam directlyl from said steam supply to said low pressureruniflow engine unit land said steam withdrawing means;

6. Asystem` comprising in combination with a supply of steam, a high pressure unit, a low pressure unifiow engine unit` and means torre-heating the whole or a Dart at will of the exhaust steam of said high pressure unit prior to entry into the intake of said low pressure uniflovv engine unit.

.7. A system comprising in combination With a supply ot steam; a high pressure unit, connected directly with said steam supply. a low pressure Vunilow unit, a superheater disposed posterior of said high pressure unit and anteriorof said low pressure unit and means connecting said supply directly with said superheater.

8. A system comprising in combination With Va supply of steam, a :high pressure unit, a low pressure unilow engine unit. a superheater disposed anterior of said low pressure unit. meansconnecting said supnlv directlv with saidsuperheater and piping for auxiliary` purposes connected to the outtake with a supplypof steam, ajhighfpressure uniflow engine unit, a low pressure uniiow,V engine unit, a superheater disposed anterior of said low pressure uniflow engine unit,

piping for auxiliary purposes connected toV the outtake of said superheater, passage means connecting said supply directly with said superheater, and means for controlling the pressure in said piping.

10. A system comprising in combination.

with a supply of steam, a high pressure Aunit,

' a .low pressure uniow engine unit, means for superheating a desired proportion of steam supplied directly from said steam supply admixed in whole or in part at1will e of the exhaust steam of said high pressure unit, and means for leading the superheated steam to the intake .of said low pressure uniflow engine unit. v

12. A system comprising in combination with a supply of steam, a high pressure uni- -low engine unit, a low pressure uniflow engine unit, means for withdrawing steam for auxiliary purposes, and means for balancing the system irrespective of the amount of withdrawal of steam through said withdrawing means, said balancing means comprising passage means connecting said supply directly with said low pressure uniilow engine unit,

13. A systemcomprising in combination with a supply of steam, a high pressure unilow engine unit, a low pressure uniiiow engine unit, a superheater disposed posterior .of said high pressure unit, means Jfor withdrawing steam for auxiliary purposes and means for balancing the system irrespective of the amount of steam withdrawn through said withdrawing means, said balancing means comprising passage means connecting said supply directly with' said superheater.V

,e 14. Afsystem comprising in Vcombination withajsupply of steam, a high pressure uni'- iiow engine unit, a low pressure uniiow engine unit, a superheater, piping connecting the `intake of said superheater with the exhaust of saidy high pressure unit and said steampsupply, and means for withdrawing steam Vfor auxiliary purposes.

15. A system comprisin in combination With a supply of steam,a high pressure-unit,

a low` pressure uniliow engine unit, and

means forvsuperheating the whole vor a 'part lat will ofthe exhaust steam of said'high pressure unit prior to entry into the inpassage means connected directly with said n supply.

17. A system comprising in combination with a supply of steam, a high pressure unit, a low pressure uniiow engine unit, means vfor re-heating a Adesired proportion of steam supplied' directly from said steam supply admixed in whole or in part at will of the exhaust steam of said highy pressure unit and means for leading the reheated steam to the intake of saidv low pressure uniow engine unit. Y i

signed this IIn testimony whereof Iy have specification.-

EVERETT lw. swAnTwoUT.

ytake of said low pressure uniilowengine unit, said superheating means comprising' 

